Aberdeen 3 - 1 Rangers

Though against the law of averages that the Rangers should suffer defeat on successive Saturdays, Aberdeen's victory by three goals to one at Pittodrie was fully deserved on play. The better team won. Aberdeen's improved form came as a revelation to 25,000 spectators, whose cheering could be heard from more than half a mile from the park. The secret of it was that from the very commencement of the match the players were working strenuously and with fine combination, taking advantage of every first-time opportunity that offered. When Will K. Jackson sent a shot into the corner of the net in the first period and gave his team the lead at half time, Aberdeen were more encouraged to persist in an open, long, and fast passing style of play. Walter Jackson and Reid added the other goals. Great cheering signalled the remarkable position of Aberdeen being three goals ahead. It was only three minutes from the close of the match before the Rangers got their one and only goal from a penalty taken by McCandless, the penalty being granted for Henderson having been pushed by Pirie. For the Rangers, Robb was kept active throughout the match, and but for his smart saving of numerous likely shots, Aberdeen's victory would have been greater. On the other hand, Blackwell had only one difficult shot to handle, sent in by Muirhead from the left wing in the first half. Muirhead was the Rangers' best forward. Their attack seldom developed, practically all attempts being frustrated by the brilliant play of Hutton and D. Bruce at back, and the strong, steady efforts of the half-backs. It was Cosgrove's first appearance in the League team as a half-back, and he fully justified his selection.

Source: The Scotsman, 14th September 1925

Aberdeen accomplish their best performance of the season at Pittodrie, where they defeated Rangers even more decisively than the score of 3 goals to 1 in their favour indicates. On an ideal afternoon nearly 26,000 persons were attracted to what proved a thrilling game. Aberdeen opened well and got a goal early on, but subsequently Rangers played beautiful football, which was countered by brilliant defensive work by the Aberdeen rear divisions. In the later stages of the first half Aberdeen again forced the attack, and at the interval thoroughly deserved their solitary goal lead. The play of Aberdeen in the second half was a revelation. They persisted in a vigorous offensive, and their efforts met with success. Despite a disallowed goal they led at one time by 3-0, and it was near the close that Rangers counted from a penalty kick.
Aberdeen were immeasurably superior, every member of the team contributing his share to a brilliant success. Blackwell came through a trying period in the first half with flying colours, and at back Hutton and Bruce were at their best, the first named being the outstanding back on the field. The Aberdeen half-backs were big in their team's success, all three being at the top of their form, Cosgrove, who appeared on the right for the first time, giving an impressive display. The attack moved at a great pace and with precision, and every member of the quintette was deadly in his shooting. and the two Jacksons were outstanding throughout the game.
Rangers never appeared to recover from the shock at losing the first goal. Their defence was weak and their attack was out of gear through lack of support from behind. Robb kept goal in magnificent style and saved his team from a heavier defeat. At back Manderson and McCandless were overworked, but in any case could not cope with the great speed of the Aberdeen wingers. Dixon was the best of a half-back line that failed, and in attack Muirhead and occasionally Cunningham took the eye. Cunningham was injured late in the second half and finished the game at outside left, but Aberdeen were assured victory before Rangers suffered this handicap.
Several of the referee's decisions did not please the majority of the spectators, and as the official walked off at the close he was the object of a hostile vocal demonstration.

W. K. JACKSOIT'S GREAT GOAL.

Play ruled exceedingly fast from the start. Aberdeen attacked on the right, and a centre by Reid was cleared by Dixon; then at the other end Muirhead swept the ball over Blackwell's charge. Rangers kept plying their left wing, and forced a corner off Hutton, for Pirie to head dear. Another Aberdeen raid ensued, and Walter Jackson and R. Bruce got in each other's way when both were well placed for shooting. Henderson and Archibald again put Rangers on the attack, but D. Brace cleared finely. A run and centre by Reid resulted in Smith shooting high. Aberdeen would not be denied, and after a clever run Reid hit the side net. After eight minutes' play W. K. Jackson got possession, and after cleverly feinting, shot from 20 yards' range, and the ball found the net close to Robb's right-hand post. Rangers were rattled, and quick passing took them to the other end, where Blackwell saved finely from Cunningham. Subsequently the champions crowded all sail on attack, but the Aberdeen half-backs and backs worked with great effect, and the home forwards were ever ready to break away and bring relief. Robb had to hold a high ball from R. Bruce, who tested him again shortly afterwards, and Smith just missed with a ball that crossed the Rangers goal and passed outside the post. Rangers returned to the attack, and a high ball from Muirhead was just missed by Henderson. Reid greatly troubled McCandless, and it was from this quarter that most danger threatened the Rangers goal. A centre by the Aberdeen right winger was headed away by Dixon. Following this Aberdeen were forced back on the defensive, and Hutton and D. Bruce were kept busy. On one occasion a shot from Muirhead looked like counting, when MacLachlan kicked clear from below the bar. In a comparatively short period three corners fell to the Rangers, but the Aberdeen defenders refused to be beaten. A raid headed by Reid nearly led to Aberdeen increasing their lead, but Manderson effected a fine clearance from Smith, who later, however, flashed the ball wide of Robb's charge from long range. The Aberdeen goal had a narrow escape when Henderson sent the ball against the crossbar, and shortly afterwards Blackwell effected a magnificent save, by diving at a ball from Muirhead. The Aberdeen defence survived this gruelling period, and were able to put their forwards again on the offensive. Robb allowed himself to be dispossessed by Walter Jackson, but McCandless came to the rescue. In another Aberdeen raid Reid was badly tripped by McCandless on the fringe of the penalty area, and from the free g kick W. Jackson headed behind. The exchanges continued in favour of Aberdeen, whose forwards were particularly lively, and it was only good work by Robb and his backs and Dixon that prevented further scoring. Rangers rallied near the interval, and Blackwell fisted clear from Muirhead, and later, following an Archibald cross, Henderson's fierce drive passed just over the Aberdeen goal.

THRILL SUCCEEDS THRILL.

Rangers resumed in promising style. They forced a corner, and Cairns's shot, which Blackwell could not have saved, flashed a few inches wide. Play was quickly transferred, and a fierce drive by Walter Jackson was deflected by Manderson for Robb to save. Archibald forced a corner off Bruce, but Maclachlan cleared. Following this, Cosgrove let Reid away, and the winger forced a comer off McCandless for Walter Jackson to head over. At this stage Aberdeen took a firm grip of the game. A fine shot by R. Bruce just missed the mark, and a run by Smith brought a corner, which, was cleared. The home left winger again cams into prominence when he dashed past Manderson and swept the ball inches wide of the Rangers' goal. Thrill succeeded thrill. Walter Jackson, hampered by McCandless got through to send the ball against post, meet it, and turn it into the net. The goal, however, was disallowed, the referee holding that the scorer had committed an infringement, a decision which met with hearty disapproval from the spectators. Walter Jackson raced through at Robb's end to have his shot deflected by McCandless for a corner. Following the kick, Robb saved from the Aberdeen centre forward's head. In quick succession W, K. Jackson, Walter Jackson, and R. Bruce had Robb in action to very fine shots, and another effort by the last-named player was rather luckily deflected by McCandless for a corner. Rangers broke the monotony with dash down the centre, but Cunningham shot over. With fifteen minutes left, Aberdeen got another goal. W. K. Jackson passed nicely to Walter Jackson, who, bringing the ball down with his right foot, banged it into the net with his left. Play continued to rule entirely In Aberdeen's favour. Robb had no sooner cleared a terrific shot from Smith than at full length eh pushed away a wonderful shot by Walter Jackson. Another goal fell to Aberdeen. Walter Jackson rushed through to shoot, the ball being deflected out to Reid, who scored with a grass shot, the ball finding the net off the post. At this stage Cunningham was injured, and changed places with Muirhead. Robb continued to be the busiest man om the field. Repeatedly he was in action, and often had to go to the assistance of his backs. Three minutes from the end Henderson was going through when he was charged in rear by Pirie and, amidst a howl of disapproval, the referee awarded a penalty kick, from which McCandless gave the Rangers their solitary goal. In the last minute Aberdeen returned to the attack, and a shot from Walter Jackson flashed narrowly past with Robb at full length. At the close the Aberdeen team were enthusiastically cheered for their brilliant display, and the referee came in for some booing.

Source: Press & Journal, 14th September 1925